President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to its lowest point in his second term, according to a new poll. The decline comes amid an ongoing government shutdown that has disrupted public services and affected many Americans.
Key Facts
President Trump’s net approval rating is currently at -10 points, with 44% approval and 54% disapproval.
Recent polls, including from Morning Consult and RMG Research, indicate a consistent decline in his approval ratings since the shutdown began.
The government shutdown started on October 1 and has led to furloughs, canceled flights, and public service disruptions.
63% of voters are aware of the shutdown's impact, as per the Morning Consult poll.
Trump's approval on policy issues, such as the economy and health care, has reached new lows during his second term.
The shutdown has sparked disputes over food assistance and health care subsidies. About 42 million could lose food aid as funding issues persist.
Emergency funds were used to maintain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but benefits were reduced.
Legal battles are ongoing regarding cuts to food assistance, and discussions continue on extending health care subsidies.
In December 2025, Social Security payments for millions of Americans will be distributed on specific dates based on birthdays or special payment schedules. The Social Security Administration has outlined a payment calendar to avoid processing all payments at once. There will also be a cost-of-living adjustment effective December 2025 for some recipients.
Key Facts
Over 70 million Americans receive Social Security payments each month.
Payment dates depend on the recipient's birth date or benefit type.
December 2025 payment schedule includes dates on December 1, 3, 10, 17, and 24.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive a January 2026 payment on December 31, 2025.
SSI is for seniors with limited income, and people with disabilities or blindness.
A cost-of-living adjustment of 2.8% will increase payments, starting December 2025 for SSI and January 2026 for other beneficiaries.
This adjustment means about $56 more per month for an average retiree receiving Social Security.
Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein mention President Donald Trump, suggesting Trump spent time with an alleged victim and had knowledge of Epstein's activities. The emails were made public by the House Oversight Committee. President Trump has denied knowing about Epstein's crimes and stated he ended their friendship years ago.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Epstein, a financier involved in sex trafficking, wrote emails mentioning President Trump.
The emails say Trump spent time at Epstein's house with a person referred to as a victim.
President Trump has denied any involvement or knowledge of Epstein's illegal activities.
The House Oversight Committee released these emails as part of a set of 23,000 documents.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, accused Democrats of leaking emails to create a negative story about Trump.
Virginia Giuffre, an alleged victim, stated that Trump was not involved in any wrongdoing.
Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.
Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate, is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in the trafficking scheme.
The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to vote on a budget plan to end the longest government shutdown in American history, which started on October 1. The proposed budget would temporarily fund federal agencies for two months. President Donald Trump has signaled his support for the bill.
Key Facts
The government shutdown began on October 1 and has lasted 43 days.
A million federal workers are currently not receiving pay, and food assistance programs are on hold.
The Senate already approved the budget plan, which funds federal agencies until December.
President Trump has indicated he will sign the budget into law if approved by the House.
The plan faces opposition from House Democrats who want extended health insurance subsidies included.
Unpaid air traffic controllers have called in sick, causing flight cancellations.
The House has a narrow Republican majority, making the vote outcome uncertain.
The House is scheduled to debate and vote on the budget plan later on Wednesday.
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a bill to end the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown has affected many Americans, with federal workers missing pay and disruptions to services like food assistance. The spending agreement does not include some health insurance measures demanded by Democrats.
Key Facts
The House plans to vote to end a government shutdown lasting 43 days.
The shutdown has affected federal workers and caused travel disruptions.
Nutrition assistance programs were interrupted, leading to more food bank use.
The funding agreement was developed by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Democrats sought to include a health insurance tax credit extension, which was not part of the deal.
This tax credit helps lower health insurance costs under the Affordable Care Act.
A December vote on the tax credit is promised but not ensured.
President Trump's administration has faced legislative challenges from Democrats blocking various priorities.
Pollster Nate Silver suggests that President Trump's declining approval ratings may persist due to the ongoing government shutdown. This could affect his influence in Congress and the upcoming midterm elections. However, some experts believe it's too early to predict lasting popularity issues for President Trump.
Key Facts
Nate Silver notes President Trump's approval ratings have dropped during the government shutdown.
The dropdown in approval ratings could affect Trump's ability to influence Congress.
Approval ratings are important for President Trump's political leverage and party success in the 2026 midterms.
Polls show President Trump's approval is at a record low in some surveys.
The government shutdown has grounded flights, stopped public services, and affected SNAP benefits for millions.
University College London's Thomas Gift argues it's too early to determine lasting unpopularity for President Trump.
Trump's approval rating with RMG Research is net -5, with other polls showing similar or worse ratings.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reduced SNAP benefits due to the shutdown.
The article discusses President Donald Trump's reactions to recent election results and compares his actions to strategies used by dictators. It highlights Trump's false claims about election fraud and examines his influence on various aspects of American society, such as the media and political opponents. The piece draws on historical lectures to frame Trump's behavior within a broader narrative.
Key Facts
President Trump has been calling election processes "rigged" after recent local elections.
His communications director repeated claims of election fraud, specifically in California.
Trump filed multiple lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results, which courts rejected.
On January 6, 2021, a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol, influenced by Trump's fraud claims.
Reference to a lecture outlines six rules dictators follow, suggesting parallels to Trump's actions.
Rules include controlling media, gathering money, and creating fear of enemies, both domestic and foreign.
Trump has issued pardons for January 6 rioters and attempted to influence universities and military leadership.
A Republican activist, Scott Presler, warns that unless the GOP changes its approach to early and mail-in voting, it may face more losses in future elections. He emphasizes the need for Trump voters to engage regularly, not just during presidential elections, to ensure their political goals are met.
Key Facts
Scott Presler is an activist who focuses on increasing early and mail-in voting among Republicans.
Recently, Republicans lost several elections across the U.S., raising concerns about the party's election strategies.
Presler suggests GOP supporters should vote early, by mail, or absentee to improve election outcomes.
He highlights that some voters only participate during presidential elections, which is not enough to maintain political influence.
Presler directly advises President Trump to use mail-in voting rather than criticizing it, stressing its importance for winning elections.
Democratic candidates had notable successes in recent gubernatorial and mayoral races.
Presler's Early Vote Action organization works on registering GOP voters and encouraging diverse voting methods.
The article discusses the government shutdown in the United States led by Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. It describes how the shutdown impacted public services and government workers. The piece argues that the shutdown was used as a political tactic rather than a necessity.
Key Facts
The article focuses on a U.S. government shutdown led by Democratic leaders.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are highlighted as key figures.
The shutdown is described as the longest in U.S. history.
Public services like food stamp payments and military pay were affected.
The article claims the shutdown was used for political reasons, not essential government needs.
It argues that everyday Americans suffered due to the shutdown.
The Democratic leaders are criticized for not negotiating or compromising to avoid the shutdown.
Major airports in the U.S. are experiencing many flight delays and cancellations due to a government shutdown affecting air traffic control staffing. The shutdown is the longest in U.S. history, and lawmakers are working on a deal to end it. President Trump has urged air traffic controllers to continue working and suggested a bonus for those who do.
Key Facts
U.S. airports face flight disruptions because of a government shutdown.
The FAA told airlines to reduce flights by 4% due to fewer air traffic controllers.
Recently, the FAA increased the target reduction to 6%.
Chicago O’Hare is the most affected airport, with several others experiencing disruptions.
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are set to vote on a deal to end the shutdown.
Over 884 flights have been canceled, and 559 delayed today across the U.S.
President Trump has mentioned the possibility of bonuses for working air traffic controllers during the shutdown.
An appeals court is reviewing a law that stops Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood while legal challenges are ongoing. The law is part of President Donald Trump’s tax and spending cuts targeting organizations that provide abortions and receive significant Medicaid funding. Planned Parenthood and several states are responding to the financial impact through lawsuits and state funding support.
Key Facts
A federal appeals court is hearing arguments about a law cutting Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood.
The law, passed in July, is part of President Trump's tax and spending cuts.
Planned Parenthood claims the law is unconstitutional and has resulted in significant financial losses.
Nearly half of Planned Parenthood's patients use Medicaid for healthcare services besides abortions.
Lawsuits have been filed against the law by Planned Parenthood and other healthcare providers.
Seven states have used their own funds to offset some of the lost federal Medicaid reimbursements.
As a result of funding cuts, some Planned Parenthood clinics may require patients to pay out of pocket or face closure.
The law affects Planned Parenthood's broader healthcare services, which include cancer screenings and contraceptive services.
The House Oversight Committee released emails showing exchanges involving Jeffrey Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and journalist Michael Wolff. These emails raise questions about President Donald Trump's knowledge of Epstein's activities. Trump has denied any wrongdoing or prior knowledge of Epstein's offenses.
Key Facts
Democrats released three emails related to Jeffrey Epstein.
The emails are from the years 2011, 2015, and 2019.
Epstein was a known sex offender with connections to powerful people.
President Trump stated he expelled Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club.
One email suggests crafting a response if Trump was questioned about Epstein.
Another email mentions that Trump knew about activities involving Ghislaine Maxwell and others at Mar-a-Lago.
President Trump has denied any wrongdoing or prior knowledge of Epstein's criminal actions.
The Mega Millions lottery jackpot in the United States has grown to about $965 million, one of the largest in its history. The odds of winning this jackpot are extremely low, with a chance of just one in nearly 290 million. The next draw is scheduled for Friday, November 14, with tickets available in 45 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Key Facts
The Mega Millions jackpot is nearly $965 million, with a cash option of $445.3 million.
The jackpot hasn't been won in 40 draws, setting a record for the game.
Players have a one in 290,472,336 chance to win the jackpot.
The largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot was $1.6 billion in August 2023.
There have been multiple smaller prize winners; last Tuesday's draw had 809,000 winning tickets.
Lottery winnings are subject to income tax, affecting the final cash amount winners receive.
Laws about public disclosure of winners vary by state, with some requiring winners to be publicly identified.
The draw will occur at 11 p.m. ET, with $5 tickets sold in various U.S. locations.
President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for $1 billion, claiming they edited a video in a way that defamed him. His lawyers argue the video falsely portrays him as inciting a riot at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021. The lawsuit would be based on U.S. defamation laws, which require proof that the broadcaster acted with a reckless disregard for the truth.
Key Facts
President Trump plans to sue the BBC for $1 billion.
He claims a BBC documentary edited his speech to suggest he incited a riot at Capitol Hill.
The documentary aired just before the 2024 presidential election.
A letter from Trump's lawyer demands a retraction and compensation for harm caused.
The lawsuit would be filed in the United States, not the UK.
Defamation in the U.S. requires proving the broadcaster acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
BBC has acknowledged an error in editing and received apologies and resignations from top executives.
U.S. defamation law sets a high bar for public figures to prove harm to their reputation.
Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, announced his candidacy for a congressional seat in New York, previously held by Jerrold Nadler. He has been critical of his cousin, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., especially regarding his political support for President Trump. Schlossberg aims to strengthen the Democratic Party and oppose Trump's administration.
Key Facts
Jack Schlossberg is running for a congressional seat left by Jerrold Nadler in New York.
He is the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy.
Schlossberg has criticized his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for supporting President Trump.
The Health and Human Services Department said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is focused on his job.
Schlossberg called Kennedy's run for president an "embarrassment" and endorsed Joe Biden.
Kennedy's support for Trump caused tensions within the Kennedy family.
Schlossberg criticized Kennedy's views on autism and vaccine policies.
An entrepreneur plans to build a $450 million statue called the "American Colossus" on Alcatraz Island. The statue would be 450 feet tall, 150 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty, but as of now, only $5 has been raised. Building the statue would require federal approvals and reclassification of Alcatraz as a national monument.
Key Facts
The "American Colossus" is a proposed 450-foot statue of Prometheus on Alcatraz Island.
The project is led by cryptocurrency entrepreneur Ross Calvin.
Only $5 has been raised for the statue so far through a Bitcoin-based crowdfunding platform.
The statue would require Alcatraz's status to change from a national park to a national monument.
This would involve federal approval and a detailed environmental review.
No formal proposal for the project has been received by the National Park Service.
The statue aims to symbolize American ambition and innovation.
A new law on the Hawaiian island of Oahu will exempt veterans aged 65 and over from paying a $20 vehicle registration fee. This law was signed by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi and aims to financially assist older veterans. The state fees will still apply, and eligible veterans will need to apply to receive this benefit.
Key Facts
The law is for veterans aged 65 and over living on Oahu.
It exempts them from the $20 annual motor vehicle registration fee in Honolulu.
State fees and other minor fees are not exempted.
Approximately 13,000 veterans are expected to benefit from this law.
Veterans must apply to receive the exemption, proving military service and honorable discharge.
The application process is currently being developed.
The exemption will take effect on July 1, 2026.
This effort is part of broader initiatives to support veterans financially in Hawaii.
New emails have been released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. These emails discuss Jeffrey Epstein and suggest President Donald Trump may have known about Epstein’s activities. The emails contain unclear details about their conversations and actions.
Key Facts
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released the emails.
The emails mention President Trump allegedly knowing about Jeffrey Epstein's conduct.
One email refers to Trump as the "dog that hasn't barked."
They suggest Trump asked Epstein to leave Mar-a-Lago.
An email claims Trump knew about "the girls" and asked Ghislaine Maxwell to "stop."
The emails were sent to author Michael Wolff between 2011 and 2019.
Newsweek contacted the White House but did not get a response before publishing the article.
Emails from Jeffrey Epstein, released by the House Oversight Committee, reveal references to his relationship with President Donald Trump. These emails, including communications with Ghislaine Maxwell and author Michael Wolff, discuss interactions related to Trump, touching on topics like Mar-a-Lago and debates. The emails are among thousands of documents made public by Epstein's estate.
Key Facts
Jeffrey Epstein mentioned his relationship with President Donald Trump in emails before and around the 2020 election.
The emails were released by the House Oversight Committee and include 23,000 documents from Epstein’s estate.
Epstein communicated with Ghislaine Maxwell and author Michael Wolff, discussing Trump and related events.
In a 2011 email, Epstein noted a victim spent time with Trump but was never mentioned by name.
Epstein claimed Trump asked him to resign from Mar-a-Lago and knew about the "girls."
Before a 2015 CNN debate, Epstein discussed how Trump could answer questions about their relationship.
Trump wasn't asked about Epstein during that debate, according to PBS News.
The House Oversight Committee provided these emails directly to PBS News for review.
A deal to end the U.S. government shutdown includes a new rule that allows senators to sue the federal government if their phone records are searched as part of investigations related to January 6. This is causing disagreement, with Democrats saying it gives special legal rights to certain lawmakers. The deal was criticized after a Democratic amendment to remove the rule was rejected.
Key Facts
The government shutdown agreement includes a rule allowing senators to sue if their phone records were accessed during January 6 investigations.
Senators could sue for up to $500,000 if their data was seized without following the new rule's terms.
The rule requires phone and internet companies to inform Senate offices if the federal government requests data about senators.
This legal protection applies to data accessed since January 2022.
Senators have five years to file lawsuits after learning about any breach of their data.
Eight Republican senators could use this rule due to a 2023 review of their phone records by the FBI.
Democrats argue this rule unfairly protects a select group of senators.
Some House Republicans agreed with Democrats but voted against removing the rule.
